Wavelengths: Implications of naturalistic psychedelic experiences on everyday life of Young Adults
(2025) PSPR14 20251Department of Psychology
- Abstract
- Despite a drastic increase in psychedelic research in recent years, studies on younger populations are sparse. This qualitative study aims to explore perceived implications of naturalistic psychedelic experiences on young adults' daily life, self perception, and long term values as well as in which ways the experiences were integrated, or not, over time. Data was collected using semi structured interviews; the sample included five young adults ages 18-23 from Nordic countries who had used psychedelics within the past year. Inductive reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze data where five themes were revealed; enhanced connection to the world, self, and others; the limbo between the altered psychedelic state and reality; a curious... (More)
- Despite a drastic increase in psychedelic research in recent years, studies on younger populations are sparse. This qualitative study aims to explore perceived implications of naturalistic psychedelic experiences on young adults' daily life, self perception, and long term values as well as in which ways the experiences were integrated, or not, over time. Data was collected using semi structured interviews; the sample included five young adults ages 18-23 from Nordic countries who had used psychedelics within the past year. Inductive reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze data where five themes were revealed; enhanced connection to the world, self, and others; the limbo between the altered psychedelic state and reality; a curious yet private practice of psychedelic use; reclaiming agency through personal values; and “aha-moments” of discovery. Depictions of heightened empathy, emotional expression, authenticity, and deeper alignment to personal values were narrated as well as alienation and difficulties integrating the experiences into everyday life. Availability of guidance was seen to be pivotal for successful integration. Findings from this study's sample suggest that psychedelics may function as a catalyst to psychological flexibility and alignment to personal values, but integration of these insights of experiential nature are contingent upon individual (set) and contextual factors (setting). This study highlights the possible importance for young adults using psychedelics to be informed with harm reduction strategies as well as integration support to minimize the risk of unfavorable outcomes of a naturalistic psychedelic experience. (Less)
- Abstract (Swedish)
- Trots en kraftig ökning av forskning på psykedeliska substanser under senaste tiden är studier på yngre populationer fortfarande få. Denna kvalitativa studie syftade till att utforska implikationer av naturalistiska psykedeliska upplevelser för unga vuxnas vardagliga liv, självuppfattning och långsiktiga värderingar samt hur, och om dessa upplevelser integrerades över tid. Fem unga vuxna mellan 18–23 år från Nordiska länder som använt psykedelika under det senaste året intervjuades med hjälp av semistrukturerade intervjuer. Induktiv reflexiv tematisk analys användes för att analysera data, vilket resulterade i fem teman: fördjupad kontakt med världen, självet och andra; limbot mellan det förändrade psykedeliska tillståndet och... (More)
- Trots en kraftig ökning av forskning på psykedeliska substanser under senaste tiden är studier på yngre populationer fortfarande få. Denna kvalitativa studie syftade till att utforska implikationer av naturalistiska psykedeliska upplevelser för unga vuxnas vardagliga liv, självuppfattning och långsiktiga värderingar samt hur, och om dessa upplevelser integrerades över tid. Fem unga vuxna mellan 18–23 år från Nordiska länder som använt psykedelika under det senaste året intervjuades med hjälp av semistrukturerade intervjuer. Induktiv reflexiv tematisk analys användes för att analysera data, vilket resulterade i fem teman: fördjupad kontakt med världen, självet och andra; limbot mellan det förändrade psykedeliska tillståndet och verkligheten; en nyfiken men privat verksamhet av psykedelisk användning; att återta agens genom personliga värderingar; samt “aha-upplevelser” av insikt. Deltagarna beskrev en ökad empati, ökat känslomässigt uttryck och autenticitet samt djupare koppling till personliga värderingar. Samtidigt upplevde de alienation och svårigheter att integrera upplevelserna i vardagslivet. Tillgång till vägledning framstod som avgörande för en lyckad integration. Resultaten från urvalet i denna studie tyder på att psykedelika möjligtvis kan fungera som en katalysator för psykologisk flexibilitet och djupare koppling till personliga värderingar, men integrationen av dessa erfarenhetsbaserade insikter är beroende av individuella (set) och kontextuella (setting) faktorer. Studien belyser den potentiella vikten av att unga vuxna som använder psykedelika får information om skadebegränsande strategier samt stöd i integration, för att minimera risken för ogynnsamma utfall av naturalistiska psykedeliska upplevelser. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9197389
- author
- Gunnarsson, Emma LU
- supervisor
-
- Per Johnsson LU
- organization
- course
- PSPR14 20251
- year
- 2025
- type
- M3 - Professional qualifications ( - 4 Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Adolescents, hallucinogens, altered states of consciousness, psychological transformation, naturalistic use, Tonåringar, hallucinogener, förändrade medvetandetillstånd, psykologisk transformation, naturalistisk användning
- language
- English
- id
- 9197389
- date added to LUP
- 2025-06-12 08:48:14
- date last changed
- 2025-06-12 08:48:14
@misc{9197389,
abstract = {{Despite a drastic increase in psychedelic research in recent years, studies on younger populations are sparse. This qualitative study aims to explore perceived implications of naturalistic psychedelic experiences on young adults' daily life, self perception, and long term values as well as in which ways the experiences were integrated, or not, over time. Data was collected using semi structured interviews; the sample included five young adults ages 18-23 from Nordic countries who had used psychedelics within the past year. Inductive reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze data where five themes were revealed; enhanced connection to the world, self, and others; the limbo between the altered psychedelic state and reality; a curious yet private practice of psychedelic use; reclaiming agency through personal values; and “aha-moments” of discovery. Depictions of heightened empathy, emotional expression, authenticity, and deeper alignment to personal values were narrated as well as alienation and difficulties integrating the experiences into everyday life. Availability of guidance was seen to be pivotal for successful integration. Findings from this study's sample suggest that psychedelics may function as a catalyst to psychological flexibility and alignment to personal values, but integration of these insights of experiential nature are contingent upon individual (set) and contextual factors (setting). This study highlights the possible importance for young adults using psychedelics to be informed with harm reduction strategies as well as integration support to minimize the risk of unfavorable outcomes of a naturalistic psychedelic experience.}},
author = {{Gunnarsson, Emma}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Wavelengths: Implications of naturalistic psychedelic experiences on everyday life of Young Adults}},
year = {{2025}},
}